mardi 9 juin 2015

Luis Enrique agrees new Barcelona deal


The former Blaugrana midfielder's future had been in doubt but he has now been rewarded with an contract extension until 2017
Barcelona have announced that coach Luis Enrique has agreed a new contract with the club that will keep him at Camp Nou for a further two years.
The former Blaugrana midfielder only took charge last summer and led the Catalans to a remarkable treble in his first season at the helm.
However, his future had been in doubt, with reports suggesting that he remained unhappy with the fact that he was allegedly on the verge of being sacked in January, after a poor run of results and dressing-room row with star player Lionel Messi.
Barca, though, have now rewarded the ex-Spain international for a stunning finish to the 2014-15 campaign by handing him a contract extension.
"We've closed the deal for Luis Enrique to remain as Barcelona coach until 2017," Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu stated on Tuesday.
Luis Enrique, meanwhile, was only too happy to extend his contract for a further 12 months.
“We are naturally very happy," he said on behalf of his coaching team. "After the wonderful year we’ve had, with difficulties but a very happy ending, we are more than thrilled about the hope of winning more titles.
"Everything that we have ahead of us in more than exciting.”
Luis Enrique spent eight seasons at Barcelona as a player, winning both La Liga and the Copa del Rey twice following his controversial 1996 move from Real Madrid.
The 45-year-old also started his coaching career at Camp Nou in 2008, spending a year at the helm of the club's B team before taking charge of Roma in 2012.
After an unsuccessful spell at the Stadio Olimpico, Luis Enrique restored his reputation at Celta before returning to Catalunya in May of last year, succeeding Gerardo Martino as Barca boss.